Switch.



FRANK ERNEST WILSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1918.

Application filed July 1, 1916. Serial No. 107,158.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK ERNEST Wu.- SON, subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 51 Strand, London, W. C., England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switches for controlling the various lamps such as head lamps, side lamps, tail lamps and the like used in connection with electric lighting systems on automobiles and has for its object an improved construction of switch that shall be capable of assembling in numbers in small space.

The switch constructed according to the present invention is applicable for example or use in a combined switch and meter box as described in my parent specification Serial No. 874538.

One preferred form of construction is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of a combined switch and meter box showing the improved switch in position.

Fig. 2 a rear view with the back cover removed from the switch and meter box and showing the switches open.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view of one of the switches.

Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 2 showing the switches closed.

Fig. 5 is a plan and Fig. 6 is a section taken on. the line 66 Fig. 4.

As shown the switches comprise disks a pivotally mounted on a fixed common shaft 6 carried by brackets 0 extending rearwardly from the front plate d of the switches.

The disks 0 are provided with handles 6 which with a small portion of the disk roject through slots in the plate d. The pivot shaft 6 is formed with two longitudinal slots or grooves 5 into which balls f housed in recesses g in the disks engage by the action of springs It thus insuring a snap action with the switch. Each disk is provided on the inner side with a blade 2' which is adapted to close a circuit between pairs of strip contacts y" when the handle is in one extreme position, but stand clear of the said contacts when in the other extreme position.

The contact strips j which are preferably of copper are mounted in a bar it of insulating material which is slotted at intervals to receive the strips 7' and is then screwed in place on the brackets c with a strip Z of insulating material interposed to prevent short circuitmg.

One of the switches a which controls the dynamo is provided with two pairs of contact blades j j to constitute a two way switch for use in connection with the combined ammeter and voltmeter g. If desired another switch may be arranged in connection with the magneto in order to control the ignition of the engine.

The whole device is inclosed in a meter or other casing m being secured in position by screws 92 passing through the corners of the plate d. To prevent unauthorized tampering with the switches when left unattended the switches are all placed in the off position and a bolt 0 passed through the case m and switch disks 0. and secured by a small padlock p or other suitable device.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A switch including a shaft having longitudinal grooves, a series of disks pivoted on the shaft and arranged to be moved by hand, contact blades on the disks, insulated contact strips cooperating with the blades, and balls housed in the disks and arranged to engage the grooves in the shaft in the closed and open positions of the switches, and springs positioned within said disks and adapted to fall against said balls for insuring a firm seating of said balls within the grooves.

2. A switch comprising a shaft having longitudinal grooves, a series of disks pivoted on said shaft, contact blades on said disks, insulated contact strips cooperatin with the blades, said disks bein formed wit an opening extending throug them, handles for moving said disks around said shaft secured within the outer end of said opening, and balls positioned within the inner end thereof and projecting beyond said disks, and springs interposed between the inner ends of said handles and the balls, adapted to project the latter, whereby they are caused to engage the grooves in the shaft in the closed and open positions of the switches.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

FRANK ERNEST WILSON. 

